6TH PLACE : TINABUAY

Española, Kyle Angelo C., De Pedro, Sandra May D., Navales, Lorelei D.
La Consolacion College – Bacolod

Bacolod City, affectionately known as the “City of Smiles,” is a vibrant community that embodies joy, resilience, and strong community bonds. This dynamic environment is fostered through cultural festivities and rich biodiversity, showcasing the city’s unique spirit.

At the heart of Bacolod’s cultural identity is the renowned MassKara Festival, a colorful event that emerged in the 1980s as a response to the city’s hardships. This festival highlights the unity and positive mindset of its people, reflecting their ability to find joy in adversity.

The “Tinabuay” design concept aims to create open communal spaces that promote social interaction among residents, reflecting the lively spirit of the MassKara Festival. This initiative is centered around the critically endangered Negros Bleeding-heart Dove (Gallicolumba keayi), a symbol of both the community’s struggles and resilience.

With fewer than 250 individuals remaining, the plight of this dove underscores the urgent need for conservation efforts in the region. The dove’s distinctive appearance, particularly the vivid red patch on its chest, serves as a metaphor for beauty intertwined with strength, reflecting Bacolodnons’ unwavering commitment to safeguarding its cultural and environmental heritage for future generations.

The Tinabuay waterfront design seamlessly integrates the characteristics of the Negros Bleeding-heart Dove, emphasizing pattern, harmony, and environmental sensitivity. This design fosters an inviting space for community interaction and cultural heritage, addressing the current problem of a lack of well-designed, accessible spaces that hinder social interaction and increase the risk of isolation.

The design features hierarchical structures and flowing lines that create a navigable environment mirroring the dove’s aesthetic, enhanced by modern shapes and a vibrant color palette that creates feelings of warmth and calm similar to the dove’s peaceful habitat. By incorporating green design and local plants like Narra, Banaba, and Bagawak, the design promotes biodiversity and aligns with the dove’s preference for dense vegetation, establishing habitats for local wildlife and encouraging environmental awareness among community members.

The site layout, encompassing Active, Semi-Active, and Passive areas, enhances social engagement through recreational opportunities, tranquility, and reflection amid nature, reinforcing the community’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

Collectively, “Tinabuay,” the MassKara Festival, and the Negros Bleeding-heart Dove embody the identity of Bacolod, emphasizing not just community solidarity and cultural pride, but also the inseparable link between a community’s culture and its natural environment. The integration of these three elements reflects Bacolod’s rich heritage and highlights a legacy of creativity that has transcended generations.